A NEWCASTLE man has been arrested and charged with child grooming offences. In January 2018, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad’s child exploitation internet unit began engaging online with a man from the Newcastle area. Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in sexually explicit conversations and sent indecent material to the child. Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 22-year-old man at a home in Lambton about 8.40am Tuesday. A search warrant was executed at the property, where investigators seized a computer, a video game console, a mobile phone, USB drives, and other electronic devices. These items will undergo forensic examination. The man was taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged using a carriage service to groom persons under 16 years of age. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday April 11, 2019. Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices. Regular covert online investigations are conducted and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas. Anyone with information about internet predators should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ While you’re with us, did you know The Herald is now offering breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up-to-date with all the local news - sign up here.

A search warrant was executed at the property, where investigators seized a computer, a video game console, a mobile phone, USB drives, and other electronic devices. These items will undergo forensic examination.

The man was taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged using a carriage service to groom persons under 16 years of age.

He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday April 11, 2019.

Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.

Regular covert online investigations are conducted and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.

Anyone with information about internet predators should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/

While you’re with us, did you know The Herald is now offering breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up-to-date with all the local news - sign up here.